For the 2025 school year, there are 11 public high schools serving 9,864 students in New Hanover County, NC.
The top ranked public high schools in New Hanover County, NC are Wilmington Early College High School, Isaac M Bear Early College High School and John T Hoggard High School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
New Hanover County, NC public high schools have an average math proficiency score of 58% (versus the North Carolina public high school average of 58%), and reading proficiency score of 62% (versus the 58% statewide average). High schools in New Hanover County have an average ranking of 7/10, which is in the top 50% of North Carolina public high schools.
New Hanover County, NC public high school have a Graduation Rate of 89%, which is more than the North Carolina average of 85%.
The school with highest graduation rate is Isaac M Bear Early College High School, with ≥95% graduation rate. Read more about public school graduation rate statistics in North Carolina or national school graduation rate statistics.
Minority enrollment is 40% of the student body (majority Hispanic and Black), which is less than the North Carolina public high school average of 55% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Best Public High Schools in New Hanover County (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Wilmington Early College High School
(Math: ≥90% | Reading: 90-94% )
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
4500 Blue Clay Rd, Wechs Bldg.
Castle Hayne, NC 28429
(910) 362-7789
Castle Hayne, NC 28429
(910) 362-7789
Grades: 9-13
| 241 students
Rank: #22.
Isaac M Bear Early College High School
(Math: ≥90% | Reading: 85-89% )
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
630 Macmillan Avenue
Wilmington, NC 28403
(910) 350-1387
Wilmington, NC 28403
(910) 350-1387
Grades: 9-12
| 251 students
Rank: #33.
John T Hoggard High School
(Math: 71% | Reading: 71%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
4305 Shipyard Blvd
Wilmington, NC 28403
(910) 350-2072
Wilmington, NC 28403
(910) 350-2072
Grades: 9-12
| 2,178 students
Rank: #44.
Eugene Ashley High School
(Math: 71% | Reading: 68%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
555 Halyburton Memorial Parkwy
Wilmington, NC 28412
(910) 790-2360
Wilmington, NC 28412
(910) 790-2360
Grades: 9-12
| 1,899 students
Rank: #55.
Emsley A Laney High School
(Math: 72% | Reading: 62%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
2700 N College Rd
Wilmington, NC 28405
(910) 350-2089
Wilmington, NC 28405
(910) 350-2089
Grades: 9-12
| 2,248 students
Rank: #66.
New Hanover High School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 52%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
1307 Market St
Wilmington, NC 28401
(910) 251-6100
Wilmington, NC 28401
(910) 251-6100
Grades: 9-12
| 1,515 students
Rank: #77.
Sea-tech
Vocational School
(Math: ≥50% | Reading: 70-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
5301 Sidbury Road
Castle Hayne, NC 28429
(910) 530-6300
Castle Hayne, NC 28429
(910) 530-6300
Grades: 9-13
| 228 students
Rank: #88.
American Leadership Academy-coastal
Charter School
(Math: 47% | Reading: 56%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
1135 Pandion Dr
Wilmington, NC 28411
(910) 839-0012
Wilmington, NC 28411
(910) 839-0012
Grades: K-10
| 862 students
Rank: #99.
Career Readiness Academy At Mosley Plc
Alternative School
(Math: 30-39% | Reading: 60-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
3702 Princess Place Drive
Wilmington, NC 28405
(910) 251-6161
Wilmington, NC 28405
(910) 251-6161
Grades: 6-12
| 86 students
Rank: #1010.
Girls Leadership Academy Of Wilmington
Charter School
(Math: 30% | Reading: 46%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
4100 Sunglow Drive
Wilmington, NC 28405
(910) 338-5258
Wilmington, NC 28405
(910) 338-5258
Grades: 6-12
| 344 students
Rank: #1111.
J. C. Roe Center
Alternative School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
2875 Worth Drive
Wilmington, NC 28412
(910) 395-4472
Wilmington, NC 28412
(910) 395-4472
Grades: 6-12
| 12 students
New Hanover County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Grades
Students
813 Nixon St
Wilmington, NC 28401
(910) 251-6150
Wilmington, NC 28401
(910) 251-6150
Grades: 6-8
| 206 students
813 Nixon St
Wilmington, NC 28401
(910) 251-6150
Wilmington, NC 28401
(910) 251-6150
Grades: n/a
| n/a students
1100 Mcrae St
Wilmington, NC 28401
(910) 251-6155
Wilmington, NC 28401
(910) 251-6155
Grades: K-5
| 130 students
3830 Juvenile Center Rd
Castle Hayne, NC 28429
(910) 675-0594
Castle Hayne, NC 28429
(910) 675-0594
Grades: 6-12
| n/a students
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public high schools in New Hanover County, NC?
The top ranked public high schools in New Hanover County, NC include Wilmington Early College High School, Isaac M Bear Early College High School and John T Hoggard High School.
How many public high schools are located in New Hanover County?
11 public high schools are located in New Hanover County.
What is the racial composition of students in New Hanover County?
New Hanover County public high schools minority enrollment is 40% of the student body (majority Hispanic and Black), which is less than the North Carolina public high schools average of 55% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Which public high schools in New Hanover County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public high schools in New Hanover County include: Sea-tech vs. Wilmington Early College High School, Wilmington Early College High School vs. Sea-tech, New Hanover High School vs. John T Hoggard High School
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